Sunday the 16th of July saw the second running of the Moby Dick Aquavelo, run by the South Coast Triathlon Club, in Youghal. A total of 70 competitors lined up on the beach beneath the Youghal Lighthouse for the event. Amongst those on the start line were 10 members of the Blackwater Triathlon club: Julian Boeg, Stephen Collins, Aidan Fitzgerald, Marie MacAree, Bill McAuliffe, Mick Beston, Joe Scanlan, Shane Collins, Niamh Fleming and Stephen Dalton. An aquavelo consists of two of the three disciplines that make up a triathlon, the swim and the cycle. The event on Sunday consisted of a 1500 metre swim across the bay and back, followed by a 26.6 km cycle. The cycle was out to Killeagh and back to the town centre, with the added bonus of a long and challenging climb on the Youghal bypass on the way home. The sun was shining on the day and conditions were excellent, although it was, as usual, quite breezy down by the coast. Swim conditions were good at the start but got quite choppy out in the middle of the bay, which made for difficult sighting issues on the way back to the slipway. Having survived the swim it was out on the bikes along the flat and fast N25 to Killeagh, fighting the headwind all the way. Having turned around in Killeagh, and with the wind now behind them, the cyclists headed back towards Youghal and the aforementioned long, hard climb up the Youghal bypass. The men’s race was won by triathlon stalwart Trevor Woods in 1:00.25, with Amy Wolfe the first lady home in 1:08.54. Blackwater triathlon Club’s Joe Scanlan finished in 7th place overall and 5th in his category, in an excellent time of 1:08.59, closely followed by Shane Collins who was 12th overall. Once again this was a really well run event, with great marshals and cheering crowds. Well done to the South Coast triathlon Club and everyone who raced, helped out or supported the athletes on the day.